New Member in need of help

Hi again, Molly Jo.  I'm so glad that you found us!!  Let me welcome you to our friendly little group of gals and guys.
You will have stalls along the way.  It's happened to me and still does, but I up the protein and water and "move to lose".  Just change things up a bit.  At first I could only walk across the street.  But, it was more than I did before surgery and it was a start on the block that I would soon walk.  Walking then led me to biking and roller skating!! 
Like you, I was (still am) addicted to my scale.  That's me.
Just don't beat yourself up over the stall, Molly Jo.  It's pretty normal for all of us.  Just keep posting and be sure to bookmark this site.
Big Hugs!
Pat A         
 

Hey Molly and welcome.  I did things a little different than some of the other wls people. I never weighed; well, I only weighed when I went to the doctor.  That way, if I had a stall, I didn't know. 

I know that I lost weight at a huge rate for the first year and then it began to slow down and by slowing down, I mean that I wasn't losing large amounts between doctor visits. 

Also, I know that when our bodies drop twety five or more pounds, there seems to be the catching up of the body so that pounds drop, we stable off, and more pounds drop.  If you are a light weight, meaning you are not super morbidly obese, you may not see the massive weightloss that us big gals see. 

Don't get so caught up with the numbers and stay off the scale and you should be fine.  Follow your surgeons rules too. That is the most important.

 

 Hi and WELCOME
I am not there yet - my date is next month but I wanted to comment on 1 thing that needs to be noted.

You are a middle school teacher!!!  My dear - you deserve an award.  I have 17 year old twin boys.  I KNOW what you are living daily - and no - they don't pay you guys enough for the middle school years.

Thank you for being there for our kids - your time and dedication is not without notice.  

Happy new path and - by my surgery date (9/26) you will then have so much more to share with me.

Happy Sunday gang
Mary - Vashon

Mary,
Thank you SO much for the mentioning of school. Ours started August 12th, and I've been so worried about not being there for the kids when school starts back for them. Middle schoolers are a riot...baby one minute, then grown the next. It is a big step for them! Tomorrow is student's first day back. So, thank you, I feel like your comment was a reminder to me that I've done the right thing in going back at the end of August when I know I am well and on my feet. By the way, best of luck and my prayers to you when you have your surgery. It is exciting and one of those things that I'm wondering why I didn't do a long time ago! You will be in my prayers!

Most people will give you the advice of staying off the scale.  I would have to agree with that for most people.  Me, I still get on the scale twice a day, every day.  But getting on the scale at about the 2-5 week mark was sometimes discouraging.  But it all worked out fine.  And yours will too.

Thank you Carol! I definitely feel so supported by this group. I will keep in touch! Have a wonderful day!
Molly-Jo

welcome Molly, congradulation on the surgery and the loss. You will certainly feel at home on this board.  The people are friendly and have a lot of knowledge. And they encourage all,make everyone feel at home. Wish I could help you ,but I'm pre-op now, 
Everyone says, that there are many changes, ups and downs.,but you will lose the weight. How great is that.
 Have a great week and WELCOME again.     
                      Carol
 

HI Molly,

Just wanted to welcome you to OFF. I'm a retired middle school teacher. You will have so much fun when you return to school, sharing Wows! with your students. Before WLS at 377 lbs I could barely get up from my chair to help the students. Standing in front of them with my back turned was torture. (they can be so cruel; like I was deaf!) My legs would get numb when I sat for more than 20 minutes. I lost 100 lbs in 4 months. I was one of those who didn't mind others knowing I'd had surgery. I didn't shout it to the world but if someone commented about my rapid weight loss and I was comfortable I told them.

I dropped weight in spurts and yes I sometimes had short stalls. I don't know how much weight you have to lose, but I think most of us who have a lot of weight to lose tend to drop it faster at first. I just wanted to tell you that this tool of a smaller pouch and rerouted "innards" does work.

As others have said, just do as instructed and the rest will take care of itself. I had some constipation issues from time to time and as I got a bit further out than you I started eating prunes and that helped. Others use flax seed. Are you getting in some daily exercise yet? Just start with a short walk and then gradually increase. At about 6 weeks post op I joined a "Women Only" gym. It helped my weight loss tremendously.

Best wishes and we look forward to getting to know you. Have you started a profile and taken before pictures? I love reading those profiles and highly recommend that you read some of those on the Over Fifty Forum. It's a great way to get to know people and an inspirational read.

Hi Karen! I am so happy to hear from you. I know what you mean when you say that it is torture when your back is turned to the students! They are wonderful kids, but they are still kids, and I also think my students assumed I was deaf! I was on 5 different blood pressure medications, had sleep apnea, am on oxygen at night, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, not to mention other weight related conditions. I realize of course that blood pressure may or may not be weight related. I also have thyroid and the list goes on. Even in this short amount of time since the surgery I have felt better!  Wow! 100 pounds in 4 months!! I am so impressed!  I weighed 220 before WLS and am only down 25 pounds. Still, I feel 10 times better already! I will be happy to get to 150 or so. I have not started a profile and have a before picture.  I am excited to get to know people.  Funny you should mention the constipation because I have just lately had that problem!   Thanks so much for all the help. Have a wonderful week and may each day be bright!
Molly-Jo

You gotta remember that I didn't notice my obesity until I made it to 377 lbs! It was bound to come off faster when I could not longer cram so much in at one time. I'm willing to bet that by the time you lost another 50 lbs you'll have shortened that list of co morbidities. Of my long list I now only take a small amount of thyroid meds and a pill for my restless legs. Gone is the high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, acid relux, stress incontinence. . . It just get s better and better. Right back at you with the have a wonderful week. Don't wait for the weight to all come off to get out there and enjoy life to the best of your ability. We've wasted too much time as it is! I just turned 60 in March and I feel 20  years younger than I did 5 years ago prior to my RNY!